Environment Waikato is concerned national farming lobby Federated Farmers is fuelling uncertainty about the future of farming in the Taupo area by misrepresenting regional council plans for protecting Lake Taupo.

Environment Waikato has held its proposed increase in total rate revenue to just 5.5 per cent for 2008-09, with planned rate increases for a $350,000 house in the majority of local authority areas being just one to two per cent.

Dairy processor Open Country Cheese (OCC) is being allowed to spread more wastewater irrigation on to farmland near its Waharoa plant, provided it complies with conditions aimed at managing potential odour problems and minimising extra nitrogen leaching.